News / Politics
Filton & Bradley Stoke MP’s new Brexit job
Britain’s impending exit from the EU continues to dominate headlines as surely the most hotly debated topic of 2018.
While people in both the leave and remain camps continue to rally for their preferred agreement, the Government seems to be going through more Brexit secretaries than hot dinners.
The post that was created in the wake of the June 2016 referendum was first held by outspoken Eurosceptic David Davis, before Dominic Raab took up the reins in July of this year.
is needed now More than ever
He was in the job for less than six months and resigned in protest at the deal negotiated with the EU earlier this month.
The hasty appointment of Stephen Barclay, Tory MP for North East Cambridgeshire, as the newest Brexit secretary has brought about a promotion for Filton & Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti, who was named as parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to the new secretary of state on Wednesday.
Airbus, which is a major employer in Lopresti’s constituency, has threatened to leave the UK in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.
Following the appointment, Lopresti said: “I am honoured to have been promoted to the role of PPS to the secretary of state for exiting the European Union.
“The work of the department is vital to delivering the decision of the British people to leave the EU, and I will be working hard alongside the secretary of state to secure the Government’s Brexit deal.”
Theresa May’s draft deal has drawn criticism from both the leave and remain sides, but Lopresti has defended it, saying the agreement “presents a sensible and pragmatic solution that delivers on the referendum result”.
He added: “The agreement will see us take back control of our money, laws and borders.
“It will end freedom of movement, while protecting jobs, security and the union. We must put divisions behind us to secure this deal in the interests of the United Kingdom.”
The role of a parliamentary private secretary generally involves advising ministers on the state of parliamentary of party opinion and acting as a channel of communication between the secretary of state and backbench MPs.
Lopresti’s constituency voted to remain by a narrow majority in the EU referendum.
Airbus, one of the region’s biggest employers, is said to have cautiously back the Prime Minister’s draft agreement, as preferable to a ‘no deal’ Brexit.
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